WIB Answers:
The value of Twitter as an effective business tool is still debated among the business community. Despite some startling Twitter success stories, and a lot of word-of-mouth exposure from Twitterers, somehow it still seemed beneath my sophisticated business tastes to say "I Tweet."
I could not imagine telling high-profile attorneys, a staple client for one of my businesses, to "please subscribe to me on Twitter."
During a live "Today" show I felt vindicated when Kathy Lee Gifford essentially declared Twitter to be a vain joke no one should waste their time with unless they have no life. Not that I particularly like Kathy Lee, but hey, if she said it was stupid I could justify my own growing Twitter ignorance.
But Kathy Lee was wrong. And so was I.
People do use Twitter. Businesses use Twitter. Even the White House has a Twitter feed.
Twitter Statistics That Are Hard to Ignore
According to Mashable, in 2008, Twitter had about 6 million users. Even with a high user drop out rate (60% of people abandon Twitter accounts after one month) Mashable projects by year-end 2009, 18 million people will be using Twitter - per month. Mashable also projects there will be more than 26 million active Twitter users for 2010 (again, per month).
That's free communication growth potential few businesses owners can afford to ignore.
So, Should You Twitter Your Business?
With dragging feet, I have to say "yes."
Why dragging feet? I still think it is silly, but it does work.
Like many who did not use Twitter, I rolled my eyes and scoffed at those who sent micro blogs about their cat's hairball, child's first word, or some other 140-character-quip (including hyperlinks and hash tags) about what they were having for dinner (probably alone - or maybe with their cat if they were lucky.)
On a challenge from a family member who claimed Twitter was a lot more than the mental image I conjured, I created a business account. In fact, I created three separate Twitter business accounts: two for my own businesses and one for Women in Business. I wanted to make sure no "fluke" statistical data would skew my already skewed view of Twitter.
Within one week of using Twitter, all three sites' traffic grew. I had new subscribers to my newsletters, blog, and my nonprofit saw an increase in donations as well.
Fluke? Maybe. But times three?
Business is about making connections through networking, developing leads, and closing deals. I have to admit that Twitter has helped me on all three scores.
So, to answer a question I am commonly asked, "Should I use Twitter for my business?" I say yes, why not?
Twitter is free publicity and expands on the "word-of-mouth" principles of marketing.
Besides, it should not matter that Kathy Lee might think you are vain. It is easy for Kathy to give her quips about her own life and cat on national TV instead of via Twitter. She is a celebrity. But she is doing the same thing Twitter does. Only with Twitter you can shout out your new product announcement in your bathrobe at 2 a.m. and people will actually be out there listening.
